Chapter 1249: Rules for Raising a Loyal Dog 13

The eloquent Young Master Zhou couldn't answer the poetic conception, and was even more shocked upon hearing a certain name.

What else do you scholars not understand? Scholars hate plagiarism the most; even if this Young Master Zhou has a powerful background, it's still unacceptable!

"Young Master Zhou, what's with that expression? Could it be that this poem, which could be called a peerless masterpiece, wasn't actually written by you?"

Zhou Zhihong, however, seemed not to hear the doubts, his disbelieving eyes fixed on Jin Chen.

"Are you sure that the poet called Li Bai is really someone you heard about while traveling overseas?"

"Could it be that this fictional dynasty coexists with the Tang Dynasty!"

No… there is another possibility.

This arrogant, overbearing Heir Apparent Your Highness is also not the original person!

Jin Chen gestured for Yajiu to come over, slinging an arm around his shoulders in a lazy pose, "Otherwise, what do you think? Could it be that I, the Heir Apparent, fabricated it myself?"

"As the son of the Yangzhou Situ, to openly plagiarize and fabricate is truly despicable."

As soon as Jin Chen said that, someone immediately echoed, every word accusing Zhou Zhihong of having exhausted his talent and yet committing such a despicable act.

In modern times, Zhou Zhihong cared most about face; otherwise he wouldn't have staged this to showcase his literary talent, never expecting it to turn into something that would embarrass him to the extreme.

Zhou Zhihong's face flushed crimson: "Your Highness Heir Apparent, without evidence how can you slander me!"

"As the Heir Apparent, I never need evidence when I act."

Jin Chen raised his brows, speaking with firm conviction: "Today's matter conclusively proves your lack of virtue; thus you are forbidden to leave the premises for three months, and if discovered…"

He stepped forward half a pace and patted Zhou Zhihong's collar, most aggravating.

"Not only this tavern, but wherever you open a shop, I will ruin it."

"Hurry back and stay there; if you keep lingering, his good brother Zhou Zhihong still hasn't returned, and your reputation will be utterly ruined!"

Yajiu was especially taciturn; as soon as Jin Chen's words fell, he coordinated drawing his sword, startling Zhou Zhihong so much he nearly stumbled backward and fell.

Zhou Zhihong: "……"

Now no one speaks for him; in the eyes of these scholars, a plagiarist deserves imprisonment, so the Heir Apparent's punishment is far too lenient.

Yet they don't realize that for Zhou Zhihong, this punishment is a tremendous blow, meaning he must swallow his anger and cannot display his ambitions.

He despises the feudal system where a higher official can crush a person, and even more despises those privileged scions who can negate all another's efforts with a single word thanks to their status.

However, Zhou Zhihong still retained a shred of rationality.

He is a time traveler; even if Li Bai already exists, so what? After the Tang Dynasty there are plenty of poems, and if worse comes to worst there are many other things.

"Fine, regarding today's affair, Heir Apparent Your Highness, don't regret it!"

Zhou Zhihong's eyes glowed with hatred, almost grinding his teeth.

He is the protagonist! One day he will rise to prominence and will surely see this person trampled underfoot and ground to dust!

Jin Chen gave him a sideways glance, "Like you're sick."

"Someone, take Young Master Zhou back to the Situ Mansion."

Seeing that Jin Chen was also about to leave, someone else boldly asked with interest.

"No matter how you put it today, this Li Bai poem is truly exquisite; I wonder if the Heir Apparent has the interest to compose one as well—perhaps it won't fall short of Li Bai's."

Jin Chen: "……"

What a big mouth.

"If you want it, come get it—I never said that."

"I'm full of anger today; whoever feels like it, anyway I don't."

Jin Chen walked downstairs with his hands in his pockets, "Xiao Jiu, let's head back home."

Yajiu followed closely behind; after watching a good show, Liu Chengze and Xu Huaiyu also rose and followed.

As they left the Drunken Dream Pavilion, Xu Huaiyu prepared to go home first.

"Cousin, I want to go ask my mother to renew this engagement; fortunately the news hasn't reached the capital yet."

Jin Chen raised his brows in doubt, his hand that had been playing with Yajiu's hair paused, and he turned his gaze to him.

"Why."

"Really, Zhou Zhihong hasn't come back yet, has he?"

Yajiu silently withdrew his hand from his own hair, his eagle‑sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings to ensure no villains approached.

"Yes, yes, that person is a monster; how dangerous it would be for you to marry him."

Liu Chengze also didn't grasp Xu Huaiyu's sudden idea, thinking he was reluctant to give up this body: "What if Elder Brother Zhou Zhihong can still return later? Then you can marry later and it won't be too late."

"Precisely because I believe Elder Brother Zhou Zhihong will return, I am all the more determined to marry."

Xu Huaiyu, instead, became more resolute in his thoughts due to the persuasion.

Liu Chengze: "……"

He sneakily approached Jin Chen, but didn't dare get too close, lest the little guard guarding the master glare at him.

"Has Huaiyu received some stimulation?"

"What nonsense is he spouting?"

Jin Chen suddenly realized, asking in bewilderment, "Aren't you afraid that the monster will possess Zhou Zhihong's body to do evil, so you simply brought him into the Xu Family and locked him up?"

"Exactly so."

Xu Huaiyu curled his lips; his innocent smile carried a hint of unwarranted obsession: "No matter what, that body is also Elder Brother Zhou Zhihong's—I will surely guard it well."

Liu Chengze belatedly understood, "Oh~ so that's it, Huaiyu you're quite clever."

He scratched his head, "Then I also need to hurry back; if I return late, I won't have time to feed my courtyard full of treasures."

Thus, only Jin Chen and his servant remained.

"It's rare to bring you out; let's go for a stroll."

Jin Chen fanned himself with a jade fan, his free hand ruffling Yajiu's head haphazardly, "Just pick whatever you like."

Yajiu gently lifted his head, pursed his lips, then nodded.

He actually wanted to say that as long as he could stay by his master's side, he wouldn't want anything else.

But when the words reached his lips, Yajiu suddenly recalled that day not long ago when his master returned from the Xu mansion, bringing along a string of candied hawthorns.

"Candied hawthorn."

Yajiu whispered softly, carefully tugging at Jin Chen's sleeve, "Master, I want candied hawthorn."

He spoke openly and honestly, and in those eyes that only showed a good look to those close to him, there was now a hint of nervousness.

"Candied hawthorn..."

Jin Chen still remembered where he had seen that, and he led Yajiu toward the end of the street.

A few steps further, he saw an auntie carrying a grass‑tied stand selling candied hawthorns, though most of the crowd around her were children clamoring for the biggest, fullest ones.

Instead, Jin Chen and Yajiu seemed somewhat out of place.

Yajiu also noticed the situation, felt a bit embarrassed, and when he furtively glanced at his master, he saw no change in his expression.

Once the candied hawthorn was in hand, Jin Chen noticed that Yajiu's expression was a little embarrassed.

Only then did he look around, suddenly laugh, and hand the candied hawthorn to the slightly embarrassed little guard, teasing, "Why are you blushing? It's not like you snatched it straight from those kids' hands."

"No."

If not mentioned, it would be fine, but once his master brought it up, the speech‑less Yajiu became even more unsure how to reply, simply following close behind Jin Chen.

Though small, the candied hawthorn tasted sweet in the mouth and warm in the heart.

Yajiu lifted his head to gaze at Jin Chen's back, the corner of his mouth quietly breaking into a faint smile.